The combination of low weight, high corrosion resistance, durability, thermal conductivity, and malleability make aluminium a great choice for various projects. The different finishes expand the uses too. Mill finish (unaltered) is the most common because it is versatile and cost effective. When you require higher resistance to corrosion or wear and tear, anodised or coated aluminium is ideal. However, you need to be careful, especially if you will be dry drilling. We want to have a closer look at this here, then you can rely on us if you want to arrange professional tube drilling services and more.

Why is it necessary?

If you are using anodised or coated aluminium, it makes drilling trickier. Applying typical lubricants or coolant may cause problems. For example, it could damage the coatings, causing degradation or stains. In some cases it can leave residue behind. This could become a serious hazard, increasing the risk of fires.

The main solution is dry drilling. You do the job without applying significant amounts of lubricant or coolant. But, you must be careful to get the best results. Significantly, you need to understand the problems that can occur, including gumming.

What to do?

The first thing you must do is consider the type of aluminium you are dealing with. It’s vital if you want the best results with tube drilling or dealing with other forms.

Remember some alloys are more receptive to dry drilling than others. At the top of the list is 7075. It is the most viable, especially with the right tooling and set up. Another option is 6061; it is fairly receptive, but you may need a small amount of lubrication such as an alcohol wipe or mist. Other alloys like 6063 and 5052 aren’t viable because they get gummy and have severe issues with built-up edge.

If you are dry drilling, you need to do everything you can to prevent drill sticking. It will help to ensure you get good quality holes and reduces tooling damage. Choosing the right tools is vital; generally high polish uncoated carbide and diamond-like carbon are best for their anti-adhesion properties.

One of the best things you can do is use continuous blasts of air to eject chips when drilling. It can do a similar job as flooding with coolant, reducing heat build-up and re-cutting, improving the quality of the holes.

Peck drilling can be very effective here too. Retracting the drill in increments allows you to clear chips from the hole to improve the quality. The only downside is it means the drilling takes longer, but it is generally worth it.

Talk to us and arrange tube drilling

Multiform Tubes Engineering Ltd is a great company to work with. We focus on providing exceptional services, ensuring precision and minimising scrap. This is important, especially when dealing with valuable materials and providing tubing for advanced applications like aerospace and automotive.

So, if you need reliable tube drilling or other solutions like bending or beading, rely on us.